[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 54 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 5, 1998

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, by now we have heard about the problems 
that will ensue in less than two years if computer systems across the 
nation are not updated. In the past, computers were programmed to 
assume all years were in the 1900s, so when the year 2000 rolls around, 
most systems will incorrectly interpret the last two digits and read it 
as 1900. This could have a profound effect on our daily lives: 
automatic banking functions may fail, medical systems could 
malfunction, and power systems might stop working.
  If this problem is not remedied, it will most likely have a 
devastating impact on our economy. Today's Wall Street Journal reports 
that ``the U.S. may experience a $1 trillion drop in nominal GDP and a 
$1 trillion loss in stock market capitalization.'' Mr. Speaker, I don't 
see how our economy could possibly survive these losses.
  For years experts have been aware of the Year 2000 Problem, but 
nothing has been done to remedy the situation. The President and Vice 
President have ignored this dilemma, despite their claims to make 
technology a top priority in both terms of their administration. We 
need leadership in this effort, and we are not seeing it come from the 
White House.
  Imagine the disaster that could result if air traffic control devices 
simultaneously fail when the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2000. 
Clearly this is not an issue that we can take lightly. Mr. Speaker, it 
is up to us to do our part and make sure that government computers are 
updated and to educate the public on this potential crisis. I commend 
the Senate for taking the initiative to form a Special Committee to 
oversee this transition. It's time the Administration begins doing its 
part to combat the Year 2000 Problem.

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